Basketbal reasons Boston vs Oklahoma (who wins)

[LilRip]

I'm trying hard not to be biased but I would choose the Celtics-KD lineup over the Thunder-KD lineup. We have the makings of a top defensive outfit. We have a better coach. We can surround Durant with shooters (IT/Bradley/Olynyk/Horford). Plus, we have a brighter future with the BKN picks.

The only advantages I see that OKC has over us are rebounding and the Westbrook-effect. Westbrook can take over a game like few can.

[NHCelticsFan]

I would be very tempted to start Mickey for the C's

With Durant:

IT
AB
KD
Horford
Mickey

While that lineup lacks a physical big, and probably would struggle to rebound, it would be extremely athletic and versatile defensively.  This lineup would also be a nightmare offensively as everyone can shoot and the spacing would be incredible.

Without KD you would start Jae at the three.  Similar to last years lineup but with the improvement of Al.  You could also start Amir in place of Mickey.  Jordan has been said to be the first guy in the gym for the C's and it was reported last year that the C's were trying to find ways to give him NBA minutes.  I wouldn't sleep on him being a big part of this team.  He could get an opportunity early with KO out while recovering from shoulder surgery.

So Mikey goes from basically getting no minutes to starting? Based off what exactly? He has to earn rotation minutes first.

A lack of a standout big man to pair with Horford.  Signing KD would mean Amir is gone, and Mickey's skill set slots in well as a versatile big who can block shots and stretch the floor offensively.  I know Mickey barely played last year, but the C's have said that they want to find a way to get him playing at the NBA level. 

If Durant signs, Amir is gone and likely Jonas as well.  Sullinger is being replaced by Al and KO is recovering from a shoulder surgery.  Who is left?  Like I said, I would be tempted to give Mickey a run next to Horford.  Rondo started with the big three when he wasn't an established player and we needed a point guard in the first unit, so Mickey wouldn't be too far of a stretch.

I would argue that Mickey earned his rotational minutes last year with his work in the D-League and practice, but the C's never got a good opportunity to put him for extended minutes.  He wasn't going to play over Amir, Jonas, Sully, and KO, but if KD signs they will have an opportunity to give him some run and I think he would fit well with the other four guys.

Overall the C's frontcourt could look a lot different next year if KD signs and Mickey may move up in the rotation.

[ManUp]

Oklahoma.

Jaylen is an unknown, Rosier is an unknown, and their bench is better.

Kanter, Waiters, and Roberson make a pretty solid bench.

Our starting unit would be better, though.

[Who]

If Westbrook does not commit long term to OKC. No contest between the rosters then. Boston.

If Westbrook does commit, I would side with OKC. Due to having a 2nd superstar.

It is all about Westbrook to my mind.

[jpotter33]

Breakdown:

PG: IT << Westbrook
SG: Bradley > Roberson
SF: Durant = Durant
PF: KO < Kanter
C: Horford > Adams

Coaching: Stevens > Donovan

Bench:
Celtics (Rozier, Smart, Crowder, Mickey, Brown, Zizic) > (Oladipo, Ilyasova, Collison, Morrow, Payne, Sabonis) I think that is advantage us or tie - it's close.

Conference: East >> West

Future/Assets/Cap: Boston >> OKC

So, I would say there are three things to be taken from this:
1) Westbrook makes them the better starting five;
2) Overall, the rosters are very, very close skill and talent-wise, though our versatility is something that I'm not sure that they have;
3) However, all things considered (coaching, management/ownership, conference, future/assets/cap space and flexibility) we're clearly the better situation now and going forward.

This is just assuming that we don't pull off another trade, which I certainly don't think is likely. We also present the overall better fit with KD and as a whole basketball-wise.

[max215]

If Westbrook does not commit long term to OKC. No contest between the rosters then. Boston.

If Westbrook does commit, I would side with OKC. Due to having a 2nd superstar.

It is all about Westbrook to my mind.

This is where I am as well. If Durant can get a verbal commitment from Russ that he's going to stay, then KD should probably return to OKC.

[rollie mass]

westbrook  and threat of going to LA with OKC possibly trading him ahead of free agency
the scutiny all season on a one year contract and redo of this process again
the creation of HIS team with horford and to build his legacy
easier east coast competition
ainge,brad and celtic hall of famers
boston is a great city,educational facilities,safe
draft picks and fans in a sports mecca-
it shouldn't be one potential ring and gone-it should be lets get down to work now and have some fun doing it-

[Csfan1984]

Think its

Durant
Westbrook >> IT
Oladipo < AB
Adams < Hordford
Ily < Crowder

Robertson < Smart
Kanter > KO
Payne = Rozier
Singer < Brown

BD< BS


C's take it. Also didn't C's beat OKC when without Durant.

Future assets Thunder <<< C's.
Cities OKC < Bos

I say C's are better. But the $ he can make in OKC is crazy so he may stay there.

[SHAQATTACK]

Stevens is far and way the better coach . 

OKC could not put a ring on KD finger after all these years ......why even go back again .   They traded off Ibaka for a shooting guard.   I'd been mad if I was Durant over that move alone.

Westbrooke is an ISO man .   Forced team player .   Durant still carries the team . When he leaves one day  , Westbrooke will be up,the creek .  He ll run away from what will,be a lower tier franchise once those two are gone.

Adams does not impress me at all.   Not very deep past the 1-2 superstars

It's the same deal as KG ....a super star stuck on a team that never can make it over the hump ...KD needs to relocate to another situation.

[TheBigTicket23]

I say C's are better. But the $ he can make in OKC is crazy so he may stay there.

Well CSNNE had a video about the after tax incomes, OKC was like 124m if he signs a 5y max and Boston was a 121m with a 4m.
But with OKC he will probably sign the 1+1....

[knuckleballer]

You know Danny will make a trade to improve the bench.

Perhaps something like Rozier, Young, Hunter, and a Brooklyn first for Noel and Covington.

Westbrook
Oladipo
Durant
Sabonis
Adams

Robertson
Kanter
Waiters
Ilyasova or Foye

Billy Donavan

VS

Thomas
Bradley
Durant
Crowder
Horford

Noel
Smart
Brown
Olynyk
Covington

Brad Stevens

That will give us a stronger bench. 

Maybe there's a better trade to be made, but you know Danny has already thought it out and probably discussed it with Durant.

[Csfan1984]

I say C's are better. But the $ he can make in OKC is crazy so he may stay there.

Well CSNNE had a video about the after tax incomes, OKC was like 124m if he signs a 5y max and Boston was a 121m with a 4m.
But with OKC he will probably sign the 1+1....

Yeah once he combines bird rights and 10 year max together like LeBron is doing the $ are very different. And a factor. Agent may pressure on a OKC resign based on $.

[iadera]

I just don't get it. Why wouldnt he  sign 1 year with any other team and then use the cap space next year as an FA again?! Why must be OKC? I think there are other teams who would offer him 1 year, not just OKC.

[Csfan1984]

I just don't get it. Why wouldnt he  sign 1 year with any other team and then use the cap space next year as an FA again?! Why must be OKC? I think there are other teams who would offer him 1 year, not just OKC.

I was under the impression the $ under bird rights allows for a higher max per year. So his 1+1 is higher in OKC. And then 10 year with bird rights and he makes like 35 million per for 5 years which he can get only with OKC. Boston wouldn't get full bird rights for 3 years so he would have to wait and trust C's would honor it. Think Kobe with Lakers situation. Lakers honored Kobe's deal.

[LarBrd33]

Boston is a better choice if he wants to win.